In a scathing attack on the Congress-led Telangana government, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K T Rama Rao (KTR) accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of treating the state like an “Emergency state,” eroding democratic values and ignoring environmental concerns. In an interview, KTR raised serious questions over the controversial land auction near the University of Hyderabad, the Supreme Court’s reprimands, and the state government’s growing intolerance towards media and opposition voices. He also took aim at the Congress’s failure to implement its pre-poll promises and alleged intellectual bankruptcy in governance.
The controversy erupted after the Congress government decided to auction 400 acres of disputed forest land near the University of Hyderabad, a move that triggered protests from students and activists. The land, which has been at the center of legal disputes for over two decades, holds emotional and historical significance tied to the early Telangana movement. KTR pointed out that this space is one of the few remaining green zones in western Hyderabad, a city increasingly dominated by concrete. According to him, the Congress government bypassed crucial environmental norms such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), using earth-moving machinery in a hurry to establish the land as barren and fit for auction. The Supreme Court’s intervention came only after pressure from student protests and environmental groups, leading to a temporary stay on the auction.
Supreme Court censure and legal defiance
The Supreme Court also came down heavily on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his claim that no bypolls would be held in Telangana, despite an ongoing case concerning the disqualification of 10 BRS MLAs who defected to the Congress. KTR accused Revanth Reddy of being a “habitual offender” who disregards the law and judicial institutions. He noted this was not the first instance of the CM drawing the court’s ire, referencing the earlier hearing in the Delhi excise scam involving BRS MLC K Kavitha.
Crackdown on media and opposition
KTR also highlighted growing censorship in the state, stating that over 500 cases have been filed against BRS leaders and that social media voices and journalists critical of the government are being targeted. While Congress leaders in Delhi preach the importance of media freedom, KTR said the Revanth Reddy-led state administration does the opposite. Promising a “people’s government,” the Congress has instead created an atmosphere reminiscent of the Emergency era, he added.
He further claimed the Congress had made over 400 promises before the elections—including six major guarantees—but has failed to deliver, blaming financial constraints. KTR challenged this narrative, saying the problem lies not in resources but in poor planning and governance.
